This research measures organizational capacity and organizational ambition in nonprofit and voluntary sports clubs. The organizational capacity dimensions of Hall et al.'s (The capacity to serve: A qualitative study of the challenges facing Canada's nonprofit and voluntary organizations, 2003) multidimensional framework are completed with corresponding dimensions reflecting organizational ambition, and the human resources dimension is further detailed.Each dimension is adapted to be applicable in a sports clubs setting, resulting in the following organizational ambition and capacity dimensions: human resources (board, coaches, volunteers, youth coaches), accommodation, management, financing, and external orientation. Data obtained from a sample of 585 Flemish sports clubs were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis, revealing five types of sports clubs that are labeled 'ambition,' 'coaches,' 'volunteers,' 'management,' and 'accommodation deficiency.' The findings support the use of a multidimensional framework based on the dimensions organizational capacity and organizational ambition, and the usefulness of distinguishing among four types of volunteers.Resume Les présentes recherches mesurent la capacité et l'ambition organisationnelles dans les clubs de sport à but non lucratif et bénévoles. Les dimensions de la capacité organisationnelle du cadre multidimensionnel de Hall et al. (2003) sont complétées par des dimensions correspondantes qui reflètent l'ambition des organisations, et la dimension des ressources humaines est décrite plus en détail. Chaque dimension est adaptée pour être applicable dans le cadre d'un club sportif, entraînant les dimensions d'ambition et de capacité organisationnelles suivantes: ressources humaines (conseil d'administration, entraîneurs, bénévoles, entraîneurs des jeunes), hébergement, gestion, financement et orientation externe. Les données obtenues à partir d'un échantillon de 585 clubs sportifs flamands ont été analysées à l'aide d'une analyse factorielle exploratoire, révélant cinq types de clubs sportifs intitulés «ambition» , «entraîneurs» , «bénévoles» , «gestion» et «hébergement insuffisant». Les résultats soutiennent l'utilisation d'un cadre multidimensionnel basé sur la capacité organisationnelle des dimensions et l'ambition de l'organisation, ainsi que l'utilité de distinguer quatre types de bénévoles.Zusammenfassung Im Zuge dieser Forschungsarbeit werden die organisatorische Kapazität und die organisatorische Ambition in gemeinnützigen und ehrenamtlichen Sportvereinen gemessen. Die organisatorischen Kapazitätsdimensionen des multidimensionalen Rahmens gemäß Hall et al. (2003) werden durch entsprechende Dimensionen ergänzt, die die organisatorische Ambition reflektieren, und es wird im Einzelnen auf die Dimension der menschlichen Ressourcen eingegangen. Jede Dimension wird entsprechend angepasst, um auf Sportvereine Anwendung zu finden, was zu folgenden organisatorischen Ambitions-und Kapazitätsdimensionen führt: menschliche Ressourcen (Vorstand, Trainer, ehrenamtlich...

BackgroundRecent research has illustrated the need for cross-sector partnerships to tackle multidimensional problems such as health inequalities and sport and physical activity promotion. Capacity building is based on partnerships and has demonstrated effectiveness in tackling these multidimensional problems. This study aims to explain how cross-sector partnerships build capacity at the practitioner, organisational and partnership levels. The subject of this study is a community sport program (CSP) that aims to increase sport participation rates and physical activity levels.MethodsThe study examined multiple cases in four disadvantaged communities in Antwerp, Belgium where the CSP was implemented. Forty-four face-to-face interviews were held with leaders from sport, social, health, culture and youth organisations that collaborated with the CSP.ResultsThirteen elements of cross-sector partnerships were identified as critical to building capacity at each of the different levels. These include: process evaluation, trust, mutuality, policy support, partner complementarity and fit, diversity of activities and period of collaboration-time. Trust in turn was fostered by a longer period of collaboration-time, better personal contact, clearer coordination and an external focus. Policy support was developed by support of partners and establishing clear metrics of success.ConclusionInsight into the key elements of cross-sector partnerships that build capacity is given and several practical recommendations are suggested for practitioners and policy makers.

BackgroundThe Health through Sport conceptual model links sport participation with physical, social and psychological outcomes and stresses the need for more understanding between these outcomes. The present study aims to uncover how sport participation, physical activity, social capital and mental health are interrelated by examining these outcomes in one model.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in nine disadvantaged communities in Antwerp (Belgium). Two hundred adults (aged 18–56) per community were randomly selected and visited at home to fill out a questionnaire on socio-demographics, sport participation, physical activity, social capital and mental health. A sample of 414 adults participated in the study.ResultsStructural Equation Modeling analysis showed that sport participation (β = .095) and not total physical activity (β = .027) was associated with better mental health. No association was found between sport participation and community social capital (β = .009) or individual social capital (β = .045). Furthermore, only community social capital was linked with physical activity (β = .114), individual social capital was not (β = -.013). In contrast, only individual social capital was directly associated with mental health (β = .152), community social capital was not (β = .070).ConclusionThis study emphasizes the importance of sport participation and individual social capital to improve mental health in disadvantaged communities. It further gives a unique insight into the functionalities of how sport participation, physical activity, social capital and mental health are interrelated. Implications for policy are that cross-sector initiatives between the sport, social and health sector need to be supported as their outcomes are directly linked to one another.

Community networks are a promising instrument for the implementation of evidence-based policies. However, determinants of both formation and management of partnerships influence the implementation success. During partnership formation, special attention should be given to partnership motives while social skills are of utmost importance for the management.

Recent evidence showed that community capacity building is one of the key methods to reach health improvements within disadvantaged communities. Physical activity and sports participation are important means to reach health improvements. This study investigates a capacity building method which aims at increasing sports participation in the community, especially for individuals at higher risk of sports deprivation. The main aims of the present study, are the following: (1) to examine differences in sports participation between individuals living in communities implementing a sports-based capacity building program and individuals living in communities without such capacity building program and (2) to investigate if the community sports program reaches the individuals known to experience higher barriers to engage in sports. In Flanders, Belgium, five disadvantaged urban communities implementing the community capacity building program (program communities) and four without (control communities) were selected based on similarity of sociodemographic and environmental characteristics. Two hundred adults (aged 18-56 years) per community were randomly selected and visited at home to fill out a questionnaire on sociodemographics, sports participation, and the community sports program. A sample of 414 adults participated in the study. Results showed that adults from program communities reported on average 96 min/week more participation in sports than their counterparts living in control communities. Furthermore, 61.3 % of the individuals of program communities indicated to engage in sports, whereas in control communities, this was only 42.4 %. Respondents at higher risk of sports deprivation also engaged in significantly more sports participation in program communities than those in control communities. This difference was also noted for groups that are not related with sports deprivation. These results are promising and plead for a community capacity building approach to increase sports participation in disadvantaged communities.